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Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s Italian coach, assured Vinicius Junior is in perfect condition to play the derby against Atlético de Madrid. After the unrest in recent hours around the Brazilian’s image, he said that he does not see racism in Spain.
Nothing of what happened with the debate about Vinícius’s celebration dances or his skin color distracted the Brazilian from the derby. This is what Ancelotti defended in an appearance in which he tried to play down the importance of what happened around his player, which has provoked a wave of support for him.
“It should be noted that in Spain I do not see racism, I am left with the statement from the club and Vinícius and from there we talk about soccer. He is fine, eager to play the game and help the team try to win it,” he defended at a press conference.
The Madrid coach ruled out that nothing will affect the performance of ‘Vini’ or his team at the Metropolitano: “I can assure you that it does not affect the dressing room or Vinícius because it is a subject that we do not discuss in the dressing room. We are preparing for the match, focusing well and we only think about this. These are issues that are not discussed in the locker room, where we only talk about soccer.”
“One thing is racism and another what happens on the field in soccer, there is a lot of talk about provocation and we don’t talk about that. Racism is much more important than what happens on the pitch. I have not discussed it with the player, he has treated it very well in his statement,” he added.
Tired of the questions about Vinícius, Carlo tried to divert the focus to the sporting side after revealing that he has not discussed anything privately with his player. “I haven’t given him advice because I’m not his father, I’m not his brother, I’m just his coach.”
“I don’t know what is really happening to Vinícius, for me nothing is happening to him. He is playing soccer with the joy he has, quality and happiness. Nothing is going on with him,” he said.
Ancelotti was sympathetic to the hostile reaction that a player like Vinícius may encounter from Atletico Madrid fans, which he understands falls within the sporting rivalry.
“It doesn’t worry me because we are going to play a soccer match in a rival’s field. It’s quite normal that the Atlético de Madrid fans, whom I respect a lot, support their team, there’s nothing to say. It’s a big game and our concern is how to beat a strong rival, nothing else,” he added.
